Lillian Ruth Daley

Wednesday

Jun 25, 2014 at 1:00 AM

Lillian Ruth Daley, 87, died Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at her home in Ridgecrest, surrounded by her family.Lillian was born April 30, 1927, at Havre, Montana, to Wilfrid and Margaret Tow. She was raised and educated in Laredo, Montana, and attended high school in Havre. After high school, Lillian attended Montana State College in Bozeman, Montana, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. It was there that she met the love of her life, Cecil Thomas Daley.Lillian and Cecil were married on Sept. 16, 1950, and they moved to China Lake in June of 1951, where Cecil was employed at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS). Lillian worked briefly at NOTS and then left work to raise a family. Later, she obtained her teaching credential and taught fourth and fifth grade at Inyokern and Las Flores Elementary Schools for 17 years. She retired in 1984.Lillian was a member of the United Methodist Church. She was a member of WACOM and spent many hours volunteering in the Thrift Shop. She was also an active member of the Quilt Guild and the Thimble Pushers Sewing Circle. She volunteered at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital as a Pink Lady for many years, where she was usually found helping out in the gift shop. Lillian especially enjoyed playing Bunco with her “Bunco Buddies.”Lillian was devoted to her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were a great source of pride and joy to her.Lillian is survived by her three children: Terrie (Art) Owens of Ridgecrest, California; Dale (Molly) Daley of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Linda Ford, of Coos Bay, Oregon. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Stacey (Jennifer) Daley of Portland, Oregon; Jessica Daley of Eugene, Oregon; Aaron (Dana) Connell of Coos Bay, Oregon; Caleb Owens of Grass Valley, California; Christopher (Stasha) Owens of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Marissa Owens of Ridgecrest, California; and six great-grandchildren. Her husband, Cecil Thomas Daley, preceded her in death.Lillian is survived by three sisters: Agnes Cook of Havre, Montana; Rachel (Jim) Mikkelsen of Hobson, Montana; and Alice (Max) Connor of Havre, Montana; and by two brothers: Raymond (Carrie) Tow of Rigby, Idaho; and Charles (Monie) Tow of Glasgow, Montana. She was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Tow.A celebration of Lillian’s life will be held on Thursday, June 26, at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church with Dr. Ed Jayne presiding. A private internment for the immediate family will follow at Desert Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in Lillian’s honor to the Pink Ladies Auxiliary at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital or to the Prostate Cancer Survivors Group. Arrangements provided by Holland and Lyons Mortuary.